- December 3
- British MI6 intelligence in Manila, Philippines, warns US Military and Naval Intelligence in Honolulu, Hawaii, that the US is the likely target of an early Japanese attack. [376.71]
- The Washington Navy Bureau alerts Admiral Kimmel in Hawaii that yesterday Japanese diplomatic posts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Batavia, Manilla, Washington, and London were instructed to destroy most of codes and ciphers immediately, plus burn all other confidential and secret documents. [376.82]
- December 4
- German Army Group Centre commences an attack in Russia, with the objective being the capture of Moscow. [149.165]
- US cryptographer Ralph Briggs decrypts a Japanese coded signal indicating the Japanese Navy is heading out to attack. [496.8]
- December 5
- The German advance into Russia is halted 25 miles from Moscow due to snow and freezing temperatures. [166.331]
- Adolf Hitler orders a whole Fliegerkorps from Russia to the Mediterranean. [831.840]
- To date, Soviet forces have lost 2 million soldiers dead, 2 million taken prisoner, 14,000 aircraft, 20,000 guns, and 17,000 tanks. [376.41]
- December 6
- Russian forces counterattack German positions near Moscow, forcing them back as much as 100 miles. [78.277] [166.329] (December 5 [277.107] [517.1793])
- Vannevar Bush, head of the American Office of Scientific Research and Development, receives Presidential approval for an all-out effort in atomic research. [166.363]
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- The British government declares war on Finland, Hungary, and Romania. [166.354] [406.204] (December 5 [831.840])
- (about 2200 hours Washington) US President Franklin Roosevelt reads the decoded version of 13 of 14 parts of the Japanese reply to the US final offer of peace terms. Roosevelt says "This means war". [376.84]
- (night) Five large Japanese submarines lie at the mouth of Pearl Harbor, each with a two-man midget submarine. The midget submarines are to enter the harbor before dawn, prepared to attack ships when the aerial assault takes place. [351.96]
- December 7
- (about 0000 hours Washington time) Army Intelligence receives the 14th (final) part of the Japanese coded reply to the American ultimatum. The message indicates the Japanese Ambassador will break off relations with Washington at 1300 Eastern Standard Time (0700 in Hawaii). [376.84]
- (about 0900 hours Washington time) Admiral Stark, Commander-in-Chief of Navy read the decoded final part of Japan's reply to the American ultimatum. Then the Army Chief of Staff General Marshall reads it, then the President reads it. [376.84]
- (0345 hours Hawaii time) Minesweeper Condor at the entrance to Pearl Harbor signals the destroyer Ward that a submerged submarine had been sighted. [169.65] [502.9]
- (1148 hours Washington time) Army Chief of Staff General Marshall releases a message to be sent to Hawaii and all other Pacific commands, telling them that the Japanese will break off relations at 0700 hours Hawaii time, and to be on alert accordingly. (The message is unable to be sent by secure radio, so it is sent via Western Union cable to San Francisco, then RCA commerical radio to Honolulu, and finally motorcycle delivery six hours later at 1158 hours Hawaii time.) [169.67] [376.86] [502.50]
- (0600) Six Japanese carriers begin launching planes for an attack on Pearl Harbor. [703.29]
- (0630-0645 hours Hawaii) At the entrance to Pearl Harbor, the American destroyer Ward sights the conning tower of a submarine, fires two shots and drops a pattern of depth charges, sinking the midget submarine. (These are the first shots fired in the war against Japan.) [169.67] [351.97] [502.9]
- American destroyer USS Monaghan rams and sinks a Japanese midget submarine near Pearl Harbor. [351.97]
- A Japanese midget submarine runs aground on Oahu's northeast coast. Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki survives and is captured, becoming the first prisoner of war taken by the Americans in World War II. [351.97]
- (0740 hours) Japanese air attack commander Mitsuo Fuchida sights Oahu's northern tip, and shoots a signal flare to inform others to follow the "Surprise" attack sequence. The leader of the fighters does not respond to the new formation, so a second flare is shot. The leader of the dive bombers sees both flares, recognizing this as the "Surprise Lost" attack sequence. [148.47]
- (0749 hours) Japanese attack commander Fuchida telegraphs the signal "To" meaning "Charge", giving control to unit commanders to commence their attacks. [148.48]
- (about 0750 hours) Japanese flight leader Lieutenant junior grade Tatsumi drops a torpedo toward ex-battleship Utah, which passes forward of the ship, hitting the light cruiser Raleigh. (The Raleigh returns to active duty in July 1942.) [148.49]
- (about 0750 hours) Japanese airman 1st Class Karoku Fujiwara drops a torpedo, which strikes the Utah. Another torpedo from another plane also strikes the Utah. [148.49]
- (about 0753 hours) Japanese Squadron Leader Lieutenant Tsuyoshi Nagai drops a torpedo, running under the minelayer Oglala, striking the light cruiser Helena. (The Helena returns to active duty in June 1942.) [148.50]
- (0757 hours) Japanese Airgroup Commander Lieutenant Commander Shingeharu Murata drops the first torpedo onto Battleship Row, on the south side of Ford Island, striking the battleship USS West Virginia. (The battleship will be struck by nine torpedoes, sunk, but returns to active duty in July 1944.) [148.51]
- (about 0758 hours) Japanese Lieutenant junior grade Jinichi Goto launches the second torpedo against Battleship Row, striking the USS Oklahoma. [148.51]
- (0758 hours) Headquarters of US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sends telegram message to Washington: "AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR - THIS IS NO DRILL". [7.v] (0718 hours [87.14])
- (0810 hours) In Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona is stuck by a 1760-pound aerial armor-piercing bomb, which detonates over one million pounds of gunpowder in the ship's forward deck, killing 1177 crewmen. [100.6] [148.82] [169.60] [703.29]
- (0825 hours) The first wave of Japanese planes withdraws from Pearl Harbor, returning to their aircraft carriers. A second group arrives. [166.314]
- The 9th and final torpedo strikes the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. 429 sailors and Marines died in the attacks. [838.12]
- (0942 hours) Japanese destroyers Sazanami and Ushio fire on Midway, scoring a few hits, then leave the area at 2200 hours. [127.35]
- (0945 hours) Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor end. 2403 Americans are dead, with 1178 wounded. Eighteen major fighting ships are sunk, and 188 aircraft are destroyed. [166.315] [169.75] [376.60] [838.12] (end at 0830 hours [703.34])
- Japan attacks Philippines, Wake, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai, and declares war on US and Great Britain. [766.36]
- The garrison at Hong Kong is ordered to war stations. [1.10] [155.25]
- Royal Canadian Navy corvette HMCS Windflower collides with Dutch freighter Zypenberg off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, and sinks, killing 23. [27.19] [452.43]
- Within hours of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the British War Cabinet meets, and declares war on Japan. [439.209]
- Canada declares war on Japan. [116.77]
- December
- Quote of Japanese Admiral Isuroku Yamamoto in his diary following the Pearl Harbor raid: "I fear we have wakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve." [87.84]
- December 8
- (pre-dawn) Japanese forces attack Shanghai, China. [16.23]
- (dawn) Japanese naval unit of 490 men lands on Batan Island between Luzon and Formosa. [830.857]
- (morning, Berlin) Adolf Hitler issues orders for the German Navy to attack American ships anywhere. [492.39]
- (0800 hours) Japanese forces begin an assault on Hong Kong. Japanese aircraft attack the Kai Tak airport on Hong Kong, destroying or damaging all six Royal Air Force aircraft in the first few minutes. [1.10] [5.57] [155.10]
- (0930 hours) 25 Japanese army bomber planes attack Tuguegarao and Baguio on Luzon, Philippines. [830.856]
- (about 1200 hours) 36 Japanese Mitsubishi bombers from the Marshall Islands attack Wake Island. They destroy 7 F4F Wildcats on the ground, and kill 20. [87.68]
- American President Roosevelt makes a speech in Congress, declaring December 7 "a date which will live in infamy". Congress declares war on Japan. [166.315]
- Japanese forces begin the occupation of Siam. [46.38]
- The Japanese 38th Division attacks Hong Kong, via Kowloon. [5.60]
- In the Philippines, American General Douglas MacArthur learns of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [221.67]
- Japanese bombers and fighters attack Luzon in the Philippine Islands. They destroy many Curtiss P-40 fighters, B-17 bombers, and one of two operational radar stations. [87.37]
- Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 39, ordering the immediate capture of Sevastopol, and a halt to other offensive operations on the eastern front. [80.319] [149.166]
- German Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb of Army Group North pulls back across the frozen Volkhov River. [178.522]
- In Germany, Reinhard Heydrich postpones the conference on Jews in Wannsee. [16.4]
- (1215 hours) 108 Japanese bomber planes and 84 fighter planes catch US bombers and fighters fueled on ground at Clark Field, Philippines. Another 54 Japanese bombers and 50 fighters attack over Iba Field. Altogether they destroy 17 B-17 bombers, 56 fighters, 30 other aircraft, many important installations, and 230 men killed or wounded. Only 7 Japanese fighter planes are shot down. [830.856]
- (1300 hours, Berlin) Japanese Ambassador to Berlin Oshima tells Joachim von Ribbentrop that Japan wishes Germany and Italy to issue formal declarations of war on America at once. [492.39]
- December 9
- (1145 hours) Japanese bombers make a second raid over Wake Island. They kill 4 Marines and 55 civilians, but 5 planes are shot down and 11 damaged. [87.68]
- Japanese planes attack Nichols Field, Philippines. [830.856]
- At a meeting of the Canadian Cabinet, Prime Minister William King worries that a Japanese assault on the west coast "seemed wholly probable". [714.7]
- The Japanese Imperial Fourth Fleet (one cruiser, two light cruisers, six destroyers, two transports) heads north to take Wake Island. [87.69]
- Adolf Hitler decides to declare war on the United States. [492.40]
- (night, Hong Kong) Japanese capture the Shing Mun Redoubt in the Hong Kong New Territories. [1.10]
- December 10
- (dawn) Japanese troops land on Aparri, Gonzaga, and Pandon. [830.857]
- (1045 hours) 26 Japanese bombers make a third run over Wake Island, two being shot down. [87.68]
- The German siege of Tobruk is broken by troops of British General Sir Claude Auchinleck. [166.340] (December 7 [508.1765])
- The Soviet Union launches a large-scale offensive along the eastern front against Germany. [439.212]
- Japanese forces seize Camiguia Island. [830.857]
- Japanese bombers sink British battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse in the Gulf of Siam. [155.5] [212.44] [439.210]
- (1000 hours) Hong Kong Mainland Brigade commander Brigadier C. Wallis issues a warning order to prepare for evacuation of the mainland. [155.11]
- Japanese forces capture Guam. [166.316] (December 8 [777.58]) (December 13 [428.A12])
- Japanese bombers and fighters again attack the Philippine island of Luzon, this time focusing on the major US Naval base near Manila. Nichols Field is heavily damaged, and Cavite is nearly destroyed. 12 P-35 planes are destroyed on the ground at Del Carmen. Over 15 P-40 fighters are lost. [87.38] [830.856]
- December 11
- (0300 hours) The Japanese Imperial Fourth Fleet arrives near the Wake atoll. [87.69]
- (0500 hours) Japanese ships begin a bombardment of Wake Island. [87.69]
- (0610 hours) As Japanese ships off Wake Island prepare to launch a second bombardment, guns on Wake open fire and planes take off to attack the ships. [87.69]
- (0800 hours) After two hours of attacks on Japanese ships off Wake Island, the destroyers Hayak and Kisaragi are sunk, eight other ships are damaged, and 500-700 troops are killed. Two US planes are wrecked. [87.69]
- (1200 hours) 30 Japanese bombers make a fourth run over Wake Island. Four are shot down, four others leave trailing smoke. [87.69]
- (Hong Kong time) The "D" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers engages the Japanese in the Hong Kong New Territories, the first Canadians to fight in the war on Japan. [1.11]
- Lieutenant Boyd "Buzz" Wagner, flying a P-40 from Clark Field on Luzon, in the Philippines, shoots down four Zero fighters and destroys five more planes on the ground at the Japanese landing site. [87.38]
- A peace treaty is signed between Japan and Siam. Japan grants to Siam former Siamese territories in Laos, part of northern Malaya, and part of Burma. The Japanese 15th Army crosses Siam into Burma. [46.38] [345.18]
- Germany, Italy, and Japan sign an agreement on joint prosecution of the war. Each promises to pursue the war against Great Britain and the United States, and to make peace only by mutual agreement. [406.202] [448.173]
- In the Reichstag in Germany, Adolf Hitler announces his declaration of war on the United States. [16.4] [54.587] [166.303] [277.108] [390.7] [416.E5] [448.39] [492.35]
- Italy declares war on the United States. [166.315] [416.E5] [448.39]
- The U.S. Congress declares war on Germany and Italy. [166.315]
- (about 1600 hours) A US plane patrolling near Wake Island sees a Japanese submarine, and bombs and sinks it. [87.69]
- (evening) Japanese forces capture Laoag airfield. [830.858]
- December 12
- (morning) Two Japanese Kawanishi flying boats attack Wake Island. One is shot down. [87.69]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders the diversion of British 18th Division and four squadrons of fighter planes to Bombay, India, to increase the strength of the Indian Divisions on the Burma frontier. [439.215]
- Adolf Hitler addresses about 50 leading Nazis in the chancellery, telling them that the time had come to annihilate the Jews in Europe. [16.4]
- Over 100 Japanese bombers and fighters attack over Luzon, Philippines, to little resistance. [830.857]
- A second Japanese force lands on northern Luzon. [166.317]
- Japanese forces capture Canadian merchant ship Shinai off North Borneo. [27.19]
- British forces on the Hong Kong mainland begin an evacuation to Hong Kong island, except Devil's Peak. [155.11]
- (evening) Japanese forces capture Tuguegarao airfield. [830.858]
- December 13
- Final British forces on the Hong Kong mainland evacuate to the island. [155.11]
- Japanese commander Lieutenant-General Takashi Saki issues an ultimatum to the Governor of Hong Kong, requesting a surrender of the island. [155.12]
- Bulgaria declares war on Great Britain and the United States. [406.204]
- Hungary declares war on Great Britain and the United States. [390.4]
- Almost 200 Japanese bombers and fighters attack over Luzon, Philippines. [830.857]
- Sir Mark Young, Governor of Hong Kong, rejects a Japanese demand for the surrender of Hong Kong. [1.11] [155.12]
- (night) In the Mediterranean, three British destroyers, Sikh, Maouri, and Legion, and Netherlands destroyer Isaac Sweers encounter two Italian cruisers with two destroyers. The Italian ships alter course to evade an assumed attack from a lone British bomber, making themselves vulnerable to a massive torpedo and shelling attack. All four ships are sunk, with no British or Netherland losses. [377.71]
- December 14
- (1000 hours) 30 Japanese bombers attack Wake Island, destroying one of two remaining US fighter planes. [87.69]
- Quote by Adolf Hitler to General Oshima, Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, regarding the sudden Japanese attack on the US: "You gave the right declaration of war, this method is the only proper one.". [492.40]
- December 15
- American submarine Swordfish sinks Japanese ship Atsutasan Masu off Hainan Island. [575.20]
- As part of Mediterranean Convoy HG76, Australian destroyer Nestor sinks German submarine U127 off Cape St. Vincent. [377.54]
- December
- Operation Trinity begins, as British Stirling bombers attack German warships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau at Brest, using a transmitted beam and an Oboe station signal giving the signal of when to release bombs. [84.155]
- US government seizes French liner Normandie at New York's Pier 88. [749.99]
- December 16
- (dawn) Three P-40 fighters from Clark Field in the Philippine Islands attack a Japanese-controlled airstrip at Vigan. Ten planes are destroyed, and seven more damaged. Only one P-40 is lost. (The Japanese bury the downed pilot with full military honors. The pilot is posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.) [87.39]
- (dawn) Japanese submarine I-7 launches a float plane west of Oahu. It surveys the Pearl Harbor area, confirming the December 7 strike. The plane returns to its mother submarine undetected. [87.72]
- British Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden meets Soviet leader Josef Stalin, receives draft treaty for military alliance during war, and second draft treaty for common action after war's end to solve Europe's problems, and prevent renewed aggression by Germany. Included is secret protocol on USSR frontiers. [831.840]
- Adolf Hitler issues a Halt Order forbidding any withdrawal on the eastern front, and calling for "fanatical resistance". [80.319] [149.170]
- (night) A Japanese submarine shells Kahului and Lahina on Maui Island. [87.74]
- December 17
- Japanese forces invade Borneo, landing at Sarawak on the north-west coast. [390.16]
- As part of Mediterranean Convoy HG76, German submarine U131 is sunk by several destroyers. [377.55]
- After artillery and air bombardment of Hong Kong Island, the Japanese again demand the surrender of Hong Kong. It is refused. [1.11] [155.13]
- Two Australian companies land in Timor under protest of Portuguese governor and government of Portugal. [814.320]
- Japanese submarine I-172 sinks freighter SS Prusa near the Hawaiian Islands. [87.74]
- December 18
- As part of Mediterranean Convoy HG76, British destroyer Blankney sinks German submarine U434. [377.56]
- As part of Mediterranean Convoy HG76, German submarine U574 torpedoes and sinks British destroyer Stanley. There are 28 survivors. [377.56]
- Japanese forces begin the invasion of Hong Kong Island, crossing the strait of Lye Mun Passage. [1.11] [116.77] [155.13]
- Japanese submarine I-175 sinks SS Manini near the Hawaiian Islands. [87.74]
- Six Italian frogmen in two-man submarines from the submarine Scirè enter the harbor entrance at Alexandria. They set three 550-pound explosive charges on the British battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant, and a tanker. [128.22] [277.132] [439.217]
- (0555 hours) In Alexandria harbor, an underwater explosive blows the stern off a tanker. [128.22]
- (0605 hours) In Alexandria harbor, an underwater explosion rocks British battleship HMS Valiant. [74.49] [128.22] (December 19 [393.16] [439.217] [831.840])
- (0615 hours) In Alexandria harbor, an underwater explosion rocks British battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth. [74.49] [128.22] (December 19 [393.16] [439.217] [831.840])
- December 19
- By dawn on Hong Kong Island, Japanese forces occupy Mount Parker, Mount Butler, and Jardine's Lookout in the center of the island. [155.15]
- Soviet Colonel Lev Dovator, commander of the 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps is killed in action near the village of Palashkino, west of Moscow. [713.41]
- Adolf Hitler removes General Walther von Brauchitsch as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, assuming the post himself. [149.170,305]
- Italian Navy Lieutenant Luigi Durand de la Penne sets a torpedo mine under the British battleship HMS Valiant off Alexandria, Egypt. Captured, he informs the captain of the ship ten minutes before the explosion, allowing lower decks to be evacuated. A hole is blown, and the battleship sinks, with no casualties. [844.16]
- December 20
- (0400 hours) Japanese forces land at Davao. [830.858]
- On Hong Kong Island, Japanese forces reach Deep Water Bay, succeeding in splitting the island defenders into two groups. [155.16]
- In treaty negotiations with the British, Soviet leader Josef Stalin drops demand for immediate recognition of USSR frontiers at war's end. [831.840]
- December 21
- (0850 hours) 146 Japanese bombers and fighters attack Wake Island, but do little damage. [87.70]
- In Hong Kong, British General C. Maltby sends a communique to the War Office in England. The reply from Prime Minister Churchill is to continue fighting. [155.18]
- Siam enters into an alliance with Japan. [505.4]
- British corvette Samphire and sloop Deptford sink German submarine U567. [377.56]
- (night) A German submarine torpedoes and sinks British carrier Audacity, 500 miles west of Finisterre. [377.56] [567.6]
- December 22
- (morning) Japanese carriers Soryu and Hiryu send 39 bombers and fighters to attack Wake Island. The remaining two US fighters are destroyed. [87.70]
- One company of the Canadian Grenadiers near the Wong Nei Chong Gap in Hong Kong surrenders to the Japanese after holding their position for three days. [1.12]
- (0500 hours) The main force of Japanese XIV Army lands on Lingayen. [830.858]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill meets with American Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC. They agree to a "Germany first" strategy. [439.222]
- December 23
- US oil tanker Montbello is sunk by Japanese submarine torpedo, off Cambria, 170 miles south of San Francisco, California. [429.30]
- The rest of the Japanese invasion force lands off Damortas. [830.858]
- The Canadian Royal Rifles on Hong Kong Island are ordered to withdraw to Stanley Peninsula. [1.12]
- US General MacArthur announces plan to withdraw from Manila to Bataan peninsula. [830.859]
- December 24
- (0000 hours) Two Japanese destroyers, converted for use as troop transports, run aground on Wake Island to put ashore hundreds of troops. Defence forces fire a 3-inch anti-aircraft round into one, destroying it. [87.70]
- Japanese XVI Division lands 7000 troops at Siain and Antimonan, south Luzon. [830.858]
- (about 0930 hours) US forces on Wake Island surrender to the Japanese. [87.71] [428.A12] (December 23 [166.316,354])
- In the Philippines, General Douglas MacArthur orders all American and Filipino forces to withdraw from Luzon to the Bataan Peninsula. Manila is declared an open city. [87.39,43]
- British forces under General Sir Claude Auchinleck occupy Benghazi, Libya. [166.340] [219.118]
- December 25
- The Canadian Royal Rifles attack Japanese forces on Hong Kong Island. [1.12]
- Japanese forces capture Jolo. [830.858]
- US General MacArthur occupies the Corregidor island fortress. [830.859]
- (1500 hours) The British commander of forces in Hong Kong gives an order to cease fire. [155.19]
- (1515 hours Hong Kong) Hong Kong, with Canadian and British troops, surrenders to Japan. Nearly 2000 died in the fight. [1.12] [5.61,161] [116.77] [155.19] [428.A12]
- December 26
- (evening) Japanese forces take Carmen. [830.859]
- December 27
- British and Norwegian commandos make a heavy raid on Vågö Island, Norway. They destroy a coast defence battery and 16,000 tons of shipping, returning to England with 70 more volunteers, but losing Captain Martin Linge. [508.1765,1785] [812.39]
- Japanese forces bomb Manila, Philippines. [219.119]
- Manila is evacuated. [428.A12]
- Australian Prime Minister John Curtin issues a New Year message, looking to America for defense aid, "without any inhibitions of any kind", "free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom". He calls for Russia to enter the war against Japan, and for the USA and Australia to have the most say in the Pacific war. [439.227]
- December 28
- A Halifax aircraft takes off from Tangmere with three commando units, destined for Czechoslovakia, on a mission to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich. [152.44]
- The first formal American meeting on biological warfare is held, in Baltimore, Maryland. [51.94]
- December
- German submarines begin operation Paukenschlay (Drumbeat), against the east coast of North America. [81.85]
- December 29
- (1154 hours) 18 Japanese bombers begin an attack on Corregidor, Philippines. [219.119] [830.865]
- (1230 hours) 22 Japanese light bombers and 18 dive bombers attack Corregidor, Philippines. They are followed by an attack by 60 naval aircraft. [830.865]
- December 30
- Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus is sppointed Commander of 6th Army (Russia). [149.309]
- December 31
- Erich von Manstein's 11th Army ceases attempts to take the fortress of Sevastopol. [277.103]
- American Admiral Chester Nimitz takes command of the US Pacific Fleet. [418.12]
- (evening) Japanese submarines shell Hilo, Hawaii, and Nawiliwili, Kauai. [87.74]
- Year
- Sources of Allied merchant shipping losses in the Atlantic during the year: submarines: 432 ships, 2,171,174 tons; aircraft: 371 ships, 1,017,422 tons; armed merchant cruisers and warships: 84 ships, 428,350 tons; mines: 111 ships, 230,842 tons; total: 1299 ships, 4,328,558 tons. [173.25]
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